Columbia Ultimate Expands Ajility Compliance with ARM Industry’s Data Security Gold Standard

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Columbia Ultimate, a collections industry leader at the forefront of technology and integrated solutions, announces the selection of TECH LOCK to rigorously review and certify its solutions for industry data security compliance.

Ajility is the first solution to receive TECH LOCK^® Certified. Ajility was prioritized in order to meet FISMA compliance in the student loan industry, allowing current and future clients to bid on Department of Education accounts. This is imperative at a time when the class of 2015 averages $35,000 in student loan debts—the most indebted college class ever—according to reports from Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Edvisors.com, awebsite that provides college costs and financial aid information.

“Data security breaches have become common headlines in the news and Columbia Ultimate is doing its part to minimize risk and enhance our data security compliance,” said Joshua Schreiner, chief compliance officer and general counsel for Columbia Ultimate. “Working with TECH LOCK we are better able to provide software that is compliant with the most stringent data security standards in the nation,”

“Organizations are entering a new regulatory frontier,” says Todd Langusch, TECH LOCK’s president.  “Careful selection of software and service providers like Columbia Ultimate will be paramount in 2016 and years to come. Columbia Ultimate is one of the few providers that are proactive about compliance.”

Through certifiable frameworks like PCI DSS, FISMA-NIST 800-53, and HITRUST, providers like Columbia Ultimate are taking the first step to show their clients in ANY vertical a valid risk assessment. In the ARM Industry, the average or norm is to do only one audit or certifiable framework which falls short of required standards. In addition, the audit may be performed by auditors who are not 100% familiar with collection systems and processes which potentially puts data at risk.

Certification through TECH LOCK allows Columbia Ultimate to enhance products focused on compliance, exceptional service and scalability. The TECH LOCK^® Certified encompasses multiple regulatory standards; ensuring customers are in compliance with a variety of laws, rules and regulations. Benefits of this comprehensive approach include:

• Customization. Client-specific compliance requirements can be easily met. For example, government subcontractors must use FISMA-compliant service providers; PCI DSS requires PCI DSS compliant service providers.
• Competitive Advantage. Passing audit reports from multiple regulatory standards shows trustworthiness to potential customers.
• Business Agility. The ability to move into other asset classes or lines of business quickly, without having to realign your information security program or spend money to comply with new requirements.
• Efficiency. Lowered risk, less unplanned downtime, and a more streamlined, controlled IT environment.

“TECH LOCK^® Certified is just one way we show our dedication and expertise to support our clients with solutions that meet the most demanding compliance and regulatory testing,” explained Fred Houston, president and CEO of Columbia Ultimate. “I am pleased with our team’s proactive approach toward compliance in the industries we serve as we continue to help our clients in the areas that most impact their business.”

Columbia Ultimate anticipates having all of its solutions TECH LOCK^® Certified by June 2016, and eventually the entire company.

About Columbia Ultimate 

Established in 1979 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Columbia Ultimate is a privately held corporation servicing healthcare, collections agencies, debt buyers, banking and finance, retail and government sectors.

Columbia Ultimate’s family of companies includes Columbia Ultimate, RevQ, and The Intelitech Group. RevQ provides industry leading software solutions and consulting services to improve collections in the government sector. The Intelitech Group is a business management and debt recovery consulting company that provides technology solutions designed to enhance profitability. For more information, visit www.columbiaultimate.com

About TECH LOCK 

TECH LOCK, Inc. is a DBA International Approved Auditing Firm, Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor (PCI QSA), Approved Scanning Vendor (PCI ASV), and HITRUST CSF Assessor specializing in holistic information security, compliance, and information technology solutions. TECH LOCK’s CEO is an ACA International Certified Instructor and former CIO of one of the largest debt buyers. TECH LOCK is the only auditing services company in the ARM Industry with these credentials and thus makes TECH LOCK uniquely skilled in serving ARM companies of all sizes as it relates to data security, regulatory compliance, and IT infrastructure needs.